Solar Powered Attic Fan?

[zcarnut]

My 125VAC electric gable garage fan bit the dust last weekend and I wondering if I should replace it with one of the new solar panel powered units?

I like the idea of “free” power, but the high initial cost of the solar units is a concern. I wonder if the solar units are more reliable as well? CFM ratings of the solar fans are significantly less than the ac powered fans.

Steve

 

[george4]

I like the idea and have played this string out a couple of times. If you have normal commercial power, it is difficult to make solar electricity a good financial decision. Carefully check your upfront costs and life expectancy for solar equipment against your savings.

 

[1320stang]

I've been told by my mechanical engineers at work that an electric gable fan won't pay for itself. I haven't seen a solar gable fan, but I have seen the solar fans that mount on the roof near the peak and have considered those. I already have the passive ones mounted about every 6' along the ridge of my house. I may add gable vents as well to help disappate the heat in the attic, but I wonder if that will mess up the upward draft from the soffit vents.

 

[HOTFR8]

Rule of thumb if you have sunlight you have solar power. I have posted a couple of threads on this topic here on the forum.

I do not know the product but all I can say is the saving by not running off the mains power will save you in the long term. The only outlay is for the fan.

 

[kbs2244]

The bigest saving by going solar is avoiding the need to run power to the fan.
If you already have the power there from the old fan, go with another 120 VAC fan. You will never recoup the extra cost of the solar with the wireing already there.